Courtesy Photo Senior Wichya Russell recently received her citizenship to the United States. Senior Wichya Russell stands in the front of the room with her right hand up as she swears to serve the United States of America and not to bow down to other rulers.

She is among about 20 others in the Dallas building also receiving their citizenship. Her parents Harry and Nitaya Russell and her 9-yearold brother Matthew stand by watching, taking still frames in their minds to remember the special occasion.

On Nov. 19 Wichya became an official citizen of the United States of America 13 years after her arrival from Thailand as a small girl.

"I got here on Christmas Eve," Russell said. "In Thailand we celebrated Christmas, but here they go crazy. All our family piled me up with presents."

Over the years Wichya has become much more accustomed to her environment and now knows she will stay here.

"I knew I would never go back to Thailand," Russell said. "I like it here."

Wichya's parents assisted her in applying for citizenship to make the United States her official and legal home. She met the requirements for naturalization, including living in the United States for at least five years and having two parents who are citizens. Because Wichya was a minor when she applied, she was not required to take a U.S. history or English test.

"We had to send in a bunch of paper work and a recent passport picture of me to Washington D.C. and they took care of the rest," Russell said.

Then about one year later Wichya and her family traveled to Dallas where she took the oath of allegiance and received her certificate. There are many benefits to Wichya becoming a citizen.

"Paper work for applying to college will be much more convenient," Russell said. "I can renew my passport conveniently and of course I can vote. I just applied for my first job and I got to say I was a citizen."

After Wichya received her citizenship, government and economics teacher Jan Berry had a celebration for Wichya in her classroom during school. As with all great teachers, there was a learning experience attached.

"We just wanted to help Wichya celebrate," Berry said. "It also let the other students realize the importance so they don't take for granted their own citizenship."

Berry said that Wichya has participated as a citizen in student government and as a class officer but now she has the "title" to go with these positions.

Wichya feels that nothing has really changed because she has already been here for so long.

"To me, this is my home," Russell said.